U.S. Hog Futures Soar as China Continues to Fight Swine Fever

Chinese pork production down roughly 30% from last year as farmers struggle to limit spread of illness in herds

By

Kirk Maltais

Updated March 27, 2019 11:23 am ET

U.S. hog futures prices have rocketed nearly 50% higher in the past month, as expectations rose that China would use American imports to cover shortfalls in its pork supplies.

April prices of U.S. lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange have risen 43% since the beginning of March, on track for the best monthly performance on record in data going back to 1973, according to Dow Jones Market Data.